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Oh no...“Church-i-anity!”
Rod Shimabukuro15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. [Luke 18]
“...for to such belongs the Kingdom of heaven!“
That is a fearless, assuring and prevailing pledge Jesus makes about infant children being brought to Jesus.
Luke just wrote about the widow who illustrated a tenacious, persistent faith demonstrating a life of prayer that will get God's attention. He then shares about the self righteous Pharisee and the repentant tax collector. If you exalt yourself - you'll be humbled. But if you humble yourself - you will be exalted.
Then the nerve of the disciples to rebuke parents for bringing their kids to Jesus! It’s as if Luke is boldly warning his readers to be careful of having attitudes of disrespect and self-righteous trust (in themselves) - like the Pharisee’s pride which stinks! But we are to have an innocent, bold, persistence - like the widow. This innocent, bold persistence is what the parents of the children possessed.
Jesus is saying to me - be careful lest I become a self pious hypocrite, lacking bold, innocent persistence to seek my God. TO become like the parents and children whom don’t care or know any better of the policies, procedures or protocols of how to approach Jesus!
Just be bold Rod - Be persistent - Be innocent with a purity of heart and faith! It seems like the more I grow in Christ - I have to be careful of my church-i-anity. Where my religious protocols get in the way of my relationship with Jesus. I think I grow to know more - but I hinder my heart with a pride, or religious ”know it all“ attitude. That stinks.
Lord help me to not ”know any better“ when it comes to my faith. I’m so measured, calculating. I see things from a ”practical, analytical“ point of view. I know this isn’t wrong until it gets in the way of pure and simple faith. Help me to develop a faith that is bold, innocent and persistent - FOR YOUR GLORY and PURPOSES!
